“True.”A wealth of affection engulfed him.He wanted to hug her and snatch a kiss, but that could wait.
Niall hesitated outside his bedroom, needing to keep her close but not wanting to make assumptions.
“We can share a shower,” Suzie said.
Her calm manner had his shoulders relaxing and his tension receding.Yet anger still crawled through his veins as he silently admitted his fear when he hadn’t known where his brothers had taken her.Aware her gaze was turning quizzical, Niall nodded, not trusting himself to speak when fury pulsed through him.
He shouldered the door open, tugging her into his lair.He studied her face and scanned her to search for injuries, even though he’d done this earlier.“Are you all right?”
“A few bruises.Don’t worry.I heal fast, just like you.”
Suzie tugged away and stepped back to push off her shoes.Next came her clothes until she stood before him naked.Beautiful.Sleek curves and lots of tanned skin.A few freckles and definite bruises.Those he did not like, and he wished he’d bashed his brothers’ heads together for the way they’d manhandled Suzie and inflicted pain on her.
“Niall?”
“You are so beautiful,” Niall said, embarrassed at being caught staring.
“Hurry,” she scolded.“Because I intend to use all of the hot water.”She strode into the en suite, and his gaze followed, enjoying the sway of her backside.Seconds later, the shower started.
Niall grinned, suddenly lighthearted.He stripped, leaving his clothes where they fell because he was eager to join Suzie.Steam billowed when he entered the bathroom, and the citrus scent of his shower gel perfumed the air.His gaze shot to Suzie, standing beneath a shower head, her face tilted toward the water, and the last of his lingering tension faded.
His mate.
Niall stepped closer, not even flinching at the intense satisfaction emanating from his bear.He set his hands on her shoulder and drew her against his chest.His bear released a sigh, and Niall barely restrained his smile.This was what they both wanted.Suzie.
“I was frantic when you went missing,” he said.“I need to strike against my brothers.They’re determined to finish their sting and don’t care who they hurt.”
“If you paid them, they’d leave.For a while,” she added.“They think they can grind you down.That’s why they’re doing their pain in the backside act.Could you get them deported?They’re here illegally and have limited options.”
“Apart from hiring an assassin to take me out,” Niall said dryly.He slid his lips down the tender side of her neck and savored the tremble that ran through her.“I don’t want to talk about my brothers.Not when I have my beautiful and sexy mate in my arms.Besides, we’re on a tight schedule here.We’re meeting the others for a meal.”
Suzie turned in his arms, her smile sultry and enticing.She reached up to link her hands behind his neck and tugged down his head.“Let’s not waste any more time.”Seconds later, her lips hit his.
Niall kissed her, savoring every nuance of the kiss—the press of lips against his, her peppermint taste, and the shy sweep of her tongue.Amazement and happiness flitted through him as he deepened the kiss and drew her closer, fitting her body to his.Despite a challenging life, he’d achieved his current position through hard work.He hadn’t expected to find a mate, and he held and kissed her with a sense of wonderment.
Citrus filled his lungs, and clouds of steam heightened the sense of privacy and togetherness.This woman… She stole his breath.A partner in every sense of the word.She was perfect.
Niall eased back from the kiss and smiled at her swollen lips.His bear gave a chuff of approval but refrained from his usual litany.
“We should hurry,” she reminded him.
“Aye,” he said, “but I wish I’d suggested meeting for dinner so I could have you to myself for a few hours.”
Her grin turned to a sultry smile that smoked his insides and had his body acting predictably.“We have tonight.”
Niall grumbled but didn’t honestly mind.He enjoyed every moment spent with Suzie.She was intelligent, relished business discussions, and liked the great outdoors.They fit together so well.
Suzie quickly washed her hair while Niall scrubbed away the dirt of the last twelve hours.While Suzie dried her hair, he dressed and pondered how to handle his brothers.After considering his options and the facts, he devised a plan.
He and Suzie arrived late to the dining room.Scott and Liam were peppering Angus with questions about farming in Scotland, which Angus was knowledgeable about since he’d grown up on a farm and his family still raised Highland cattle.
“I like your friends.Shifters at the gathering mostly come from wealthy families.They’re accustomed to servants, and they treat Angus like wallpaper.”
Suzie glanced askance at him.“He stands for that?”
“They get the smaller rooms and slower service.He does this so skillfully they don’t realize the slight.”Niall grinned.“You and your friends scored some of the nicer rooms.”
Suzie sniffed.“We’re also scoring a delicious breakfast.I smell bacon and tattie scones.”She patted her butt.“Angus’s breakfasts have added to my padding.”
